The commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has written a sharply worded letter to the Republican chairman of the House Environment Committee, laying out a series of objections to environment legislation unveiled this week.

Rep. Denny McNamara's bill funds key environment agencies while also making significant policy changes to the way Minnesota protects its air, water and land.

John Linc Stine, the PCA commissioner, faults the bill for taking money from various dedicated cleanup funds to pay for agency operations and for provisions that would "reduce activities that protect public health and the environment."

The committee will hear testimony this evening and amendments Thursday before expected passage later this week.